Born in the heart of the Venetian glassmaking tradition, the "Palina" vase is a work that tells the story of Venice through a dialogue between glass and wood, between East and West. The result of an extraordinary collaboration between Salviati and architect Kengo Kuma, this vase serves as a cultural bridge connecting the millenary Murano tradition with the Japanese philosophy of emptiness.
The tapered shape of the vase, which stands 27 centimeters tall with a diameter of 18, is inspired by the iconic Venetian "paline"—the wooden poles that have guided navigation through the canals of the Serenissima for centuries. The air-force blue of the mouth-blown, entirely hand-crafted Murano glass evokes the depths of the Venetian lagoon, creating a visual and symbolic bond with the environment that inspired it.
The true technical innovation lies in the vase's internal texture, achieved through a "negative" process that involves pressing a mold derived from authentic reclaimed wooden poles. This unique technique not only creates a stunning visual effect but also embodies the Japanese concept of "ma"—the meaningful space between elements—so central to Kengo Kuma's design philosophy.
Part of the prestigious "Zero Collection," this vase represents the perfect fusion of the four natural elements: the earth of the lagoon's mooring posts, the water that surrounds them, the air from the glass master's breath, and the fire of the furnace that transforms the material. Produced in a limited edition of only 39 pieces, each "Palina" vase is a unique work that bears the signature of 2025, the year marking this extraordinary collaboration between Salviati's glassmaking excellence and Kengo Kuma's architectural vision.
This masterpiece of glass art, available upon request for €3,500.00 (VAT excluded), represents not only a contemporary design object but a true bridge between cultures, traditions, and materials, embodying the very essence of innovation rooted in tradition.
